By Compiled from Times wires
Published May 1, 2003
PHOENIX - Four-time NL Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson is scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery today and will miss three to six weeks.
The Arizona left-hander, 24-5 last season, won his first game in three decisions Sunday after spending two weeks on the disabled list.
The operation in Phoenix will clear out debris that caused inflammation in his right knee.
"We're hoping the procedure will eliminate the cause of the swelling," manager Bob Brenly said Wednesday night. "He's taking this about as well as you'd expect. I mean, this is one of the great competitors in our game."
Johnson was not at the ballpark, where the Diamondbacks are playing the Marlins, and the team said he would not be available for comment.
Congress to honor Robinson
WASHINGTON - More than half a century after Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier, Congress wants to honor him with its highest award.
Reps. Richard Neal, D-Mass., and Peter King, R-N.Y., were introducing legislation Wednesday to give the late Brooklyn Dodger a Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions to civil rights and sports.
With bipartisan support, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., introduced a similar bill in February that also proposed designating a national day to recognize Robinson's accomplishments.
Robinson, a four-sport star at UCLA, ended decades of segregation in the major leagues when he broke in April 15, 1947. He retired after 10 years, six pennants and one World Series title with the Dodgers and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962. He died in 1972.
"Throughout his years with the Dodgers, he faced constant abuse and pressure," said Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. "But the more he was taunted and threatened and harassed, the more he let his superb performance on the field speak for itself."
Robinson played all but three games his first season "despite threats on his life, the weight of a people on his shoulders and racist taunts," his daughter, Sharon, said.
JONES CONTRITE: Rockies pitcher Todd Jones apologized to the organization and his teammates for his recent antigay remarks, but he didn't back off what he said.
"I think my only mistake was that I made my views public," said the reliever, who was teary at times during his brief statement. "And for that, I apologize to the Rockies and I apologize to my teammates for putting them through this."
In an entertainment story in the Denver Post on Sunday, Jones said that he would not want to have a gay teammate and that gays should not flaunt their sexuality.
FAN VIOLENCE: Worried about unruly sports fans, members of a key Illinois Senate committee voted to toughen penalties for attacks on coaches or officials and for running onto the playing field.
The legislation followed an attack two weeks ago on an umpire at a White Sox game. A spectator, who said he had been drinking steadily, ran onto the field and tackled umpire Laz Diaz, who was not injured.
BLUE JAYS: Toronto claimed left-hander Doug Davis off waivers from the Rangers.
BREWERS: Brooks Kieschnick successfully made the transition from a major-league position player to pitcher when Milwaukee purchased his contract from Triple-A Indianapolis. Kieschnick, a former Devil Rays minor-leaguer, will be a right-handed relief pitcher and left-handed pinch hitter.
DODGERS: Centerfielder Dave Roberts, recovering slower than hoped from a strained right hamstring, said he's not sure when he will return. "I still feel it in my hamstring," he said. "It's obviously taking a little longer that I thought." ... Outfielder Shawn Green will donate $250,000 for each year of his contract, a total of $1.5-million total, to the Dodgers Dream Foundation, which provides educational and recreational opportunities for inner city youth.
METS: Catcher Mike Piazza was out of the lineup with inflammation in his left knee. Manager Art Howe said he hoped Piazza could play today.
RANGERS: Catcher Todd Greene went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring.
